Trekking pole apparatuses

ABSTRACT

Trekking poles which can be used as hiking poles as well as for supports for a number of alternative configurations such as supports for chairs, tables, and tripods. When used for assembling camp chairs, trekking poles are disassembled and joined with supports and connectors to form a camp chair. In one embodiment, an improved trekking pole apparatus includes a body made up of an upper segment, a middle segment and a lower segment joined to form a trekking pole, and a pivotal handle that may also serve as a horizontal support. The body segments may be used as a trekking pole or disassembled and used to form a support structure for a chair. In another embodiment, the improved trekking pole apparatus further includes a removable seat cover, a truss support, and a corner vertical support and truss member comprised of three component supports mounted to the right angle vertical piece pivot which fold in a parallel orientation to the axis of the right angle vertical piece. The body segments cam be joined together with the truss support, the seat cover, and the corner vertical support to form a chair. In other embodiments, the chair may be a tripod or a table. Other embodiments include a removable back rest and a storage area in an interior space of one of the body segments for storing a support component or a seat cover.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO OTHER RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS

The present application claims the benefit of U.S. ProvisionalApplication Ser. No. 60/473,598 filed Aug. 6, 2007 which is incorporatedherein by reference in its entirety.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable.

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTINGCOMPACT DISK APPENDIX

Not Applicable.

BACKGROUND

1. Field

The field of the claimed subject matter generally relates to hikingaccessories. More particularly, it relates to walking or hiking polesalso known as trekking poles.

2. Background of the Subject Matter

Trek poles or trekking poles have been gaining in popularity with hikingenthusiasts in recent years replacing the traditional hiking sticks usedfor support in walking and hiking. Trekking poles are similar to skipoles in that they provide additional stability to hikers on ruggedhiking trails and they can be invaluable when fording rocky streams orareas in which ones balance must be kept to avoid injury. Once hikersarrive at their destination and setup camp there is often little or noprovision for sitting comfortably at the campsite other than fallen logsor rocks. Further, most serious hikers and backpackers typically avoidat all cost any extra unnecessary weight.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of the claimed subject matter include trekking poles whichcan also be disassembled and used in alternative configurations such asa chair, a table, and a tripod mount. The present subject matter alsorelates to a method of assembly wherein two walking poles are configuredto mate with the aid of support connectors which can be joined withsegments of the trekking poles to form a camp chair.

In one embodiment, an improved trekking pole apparatus includes a bodymade up of an upper segment, a middle segment and a lower segment joinedto form a trekking pole, and a pivotal handle that may also serve as ahorizontal support. The body segments may be used as a trekking pole ordisassembled and used to form a support structure for a chair. Inanother embodiment, the improved trekking pole apparatus furtherincludes a removable seat cover, a truss support, and a corner verticalsupport and truss member comprised of three component supports mountedto the right angle vertical piece pivot which fold in a parallelorientation to the axis of the right angle vertical piece. The bodysegments are joined together with the truss support, the seat cover, andthe corner vertical support to form a chair. In other embodiments, thechair may be a tripod or a table. Other embodiments include a removableback rest and a storage area in an interior space of one of the bodysegments for storing a support component or a seat cover.

Further aspects of the claimed subject matter will become apparent fromconsideration of the drawings and the ensuing description of themultiple embodiments. A person skilled in the art will realize thatother embodiments are possible and that the details of each embodimentmay be modified in a number of respects, all without departing fromscope of the claimed subject matter. Thus, the following drawing figuresand description are illustrative in nature rather than restrictive.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The features of the claimed subject matter will be better understood byreference to the accompanying drawings which illustrate variousembodiments. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of an embodiment of an apparatus 100using two poles 102 to form a chair according to the claimed subjectmatter;

FIG. 2 is an assembly view of a pole 102 in an embodiment according tothe claimed subject matter;

FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of a support used with embodimentsaccording to the claimed subject matter;

FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of a collapsible truss support memberused in embodiments according to the claimed subject matter; and

FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of an embodiment of a pole 102 havingan additional pouch 130 according to the claimed subject matter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

With reference now to the various figures in which identical elementsare numbered identically throughout, a description of various exemplaryaspects of the claimed subject matter will now be provided.

Referring to FIGS. 1-5, embodiments provide a hikers and walkers with aconventional walking or trekking poles which can also be used in variousother configurations for additional purposes such as mounts, tables andchairs. In one embodiment, the trekking poles are used as conventionalwalking poles or trekking poles 102. The poles 102 may be disassembledin so that the handle grip bracket may be used with one or more supports110 and 114 to form various other useful apparatuses such as a campchair apparatus 100. The apparatus 100 illustrated in FIG. 1 isconfigured so that a useable camp chair is formed from the poles whichare setup in a parallel, self standing, vertical assembly so that thepoles 102 can act to carry the load of the chair and chair occupant'sweight. The structural supports 110 are fastened to the poles usingvarious brackets such as the handle bracket 106. In this manner, thestructural supports 110 along with the pole handle/grip 104 provide thehorizontal chair seat structure. In FIG. 1, the lower pole sections arenow the chair front and rear horizontal cross braces.

A cover 104 is attached at its ends to the vertical segments of the twopoles 102. Once attached to the poles 102, the cover 104 forms the backof the chair apparatus 100. A second cover 112 is used for thehorizontal seat structure for the user. Additional covers may be usedfor other purposes such as a table which in some embodiments may utilizefour or more poles 102. Covers 104 and 112 may be made of any suitablematerial, such as lightweight canvas or polymer material or anycombination of materials. They may be affixed with any commerciallyknown fasteners such as hook and loop or ties.

As further illustrated in FIG. 1, supports 110 and 114 of the poles 102are removable or detachable from the pole 102 so that it may be used inthe assembly of the chair apparatus 100 in order to provide additionalstability and support to the apparatus 100. Further, the supports 110and 114 may be stored in the upper interior sections of the poles 102.In some embodiments, the portions 114 may be slidably removed from theupper sections of the poles 102 as desired by the user. In thisembodiment, the canvas portions 104 and 112 are transported separatelyuntil used in apparatus 100. In other embodiments, the covers 104 and112 may be stored within or on the exterior of one or both of the poles102 so that they may be easily transported by the user. FIG. 2illustrates a component view of a pole 102 in a trekking or hiking poleconfiguration.

In several embodiments, the poles 102 may be constructed of aluminumtubing, aluminum angle, “U” stock, and/or flat aluminum stock althoughany suitable material may be used. Examples of other materials that maybe suitable include polymers such as polyethylene compounds such as arigid plastic and other metals such as titanium. Additionally,embodiments of the poles 102 and the apparatus 100 may be constructedusing common sheet metal screws, machine screws, hex nuts, and wing nutsso that the components in a variety of configurations may be fastened.The construction materials used may be cut to size using anycommercially known manner such as cutting with a band or hack saw. Ametal turning lathe and/or hand tools may also be used to fabricate thepoles 102 and any other needed components for the various embodimentsand holes may be formed in one or more of the components usingconventional drill presses or hand drills. Other holes, such as threadedholes, may be similarly made with other tools such as conventional, handdriven thread cutting taps for making threaded holes.

In several embodiments, the poles 102 are constructed of hardenedaluminum tubing. In these embodiments, the poles 102 are fabricated inthree sections with the outside diameter of the lowermost section, thelower section 116, being the smallest diameter and equaling the insidediameter of the middle section, section 118. The outside dimension ofthe middle section is smaller than the inside diameter of the uppersection, section 120, which is the largest diameter and which can allowfor additional storage space within this section 120. The three sectionsare thus capable of nesting inside each other or “telescoping” togetherfor securing. Threads may be used in one or more of the segments to aidin securing the tubing sections to each other and/or to othercomponents.

Additionally, in several embodiments, additional structural componentsincluding supports 110 and 114, as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4respectively, may be stored within one or more interior compartments ofthe sections 116, 118 and/or 120. For example, a support assembly 110and/or a support crossbar 114 may be stored within the interior space ofthe upper sections 116 of each of the poles 102. In other embodiments,additional storage space may be utilized within the middle and lowersections 118 and 116 as desired by the manufacturer and/or the user. Inother embodiments, the sections 116, 118 and 120 will be in acontinuously adjustable compression fitting arrangement, similar to atripod mount leg for a camera. The lower telescopic segment 116, whichalso functions as the chair horizontal member when configured as a chairapparatus 100, may be adjusted by the user so that it may be adjusted inlength for different height people, utilizing a set screw.

FIG. 4 illustrates the truss chair corner vertical support 114. Inseveral of the embodiments, a chair corner vertical support and trussmember is comprised of three component supports mounted to the rightangle vertical piece pivot. These component supports fold in a parallelorientation to the axis of the right angle vertical piece. As previouslydescribed, this support assembly 114 may be slipped into the storagearea in the upper segment 120 of the pole 102. Also shown in FIG. 4 is abottom member having a threaded end. This threaded end engages the polein the chair configuration and is secured with a finger tightened wingnut.

FIG. 3 shows the back truss support 110 that slips over the threaded endand engages the rear chair cross member (lower pole section 116) in thecenter. In the described embodiments, all of the fasteners are thumbscrews or finger nuts (wing nuts). This back truss support 110 alsoslips into the storage area in upper segment 120 for transportation.

In an embodiment with storage in the upper section in which structuralsupport components are stored for the chair apparatus 100, a bushing 122constructed of nylon or any other suitable material can be used to mate,secure or join the middle section 118 with the upper section 120 used inseveral embodiments for storage. In this way, the lower section 116 canbe utilized as a support for the chair apparatus 100 while at the sametime being removable as well as securable for use in the trek poleconfiguration. In these embodiments, the bottom portion of the pole 102is secured using a threaded hole in the lower section 116 and aclearance hole in the middle section 118.

To further secure these two sections, a finger tightened machine screw126 and wing nut 128 may be placed through the middle section clearancehole so that the threaded hole in the lower section 116 is engaged. Whenthe wing nut is turned and tightened so both section are joined, theconfiguration provides support to the whole structure of the chairapparatus 100.

In this embodiment, the upper end of the middle section is permanentlysecured to the bushing and upper section with three sheet metal screwsspaces 120 degrees about the perimeter of the upper section tubing.These three screws engage and secure the upper tubing section 120, thebushing 122 and the middle section tubing 118. Affixed to the lowersection tubing 116 on the distal end of the tubing that contacts theground, a nylon impact head 124 is mounted using an interference fit. Insome embodiments, the impact head 124 may also have a groove which canbe machined into the head 124 in order to allow an interface with ananchor, a cord, a line or any other suitable fastening mechanism whenthe apparatus 100 is used as a chair. The fastener allows greaterstability when the apparatus 100 is put into use as a chair.

Additionally, in several embodiments, the upper end of the upper section120 has a U-channel component joined to it on a pivotal mountapproximately 0.10 inches from the upper end. This U-channel section 134functions as the pole grip when the pole 102 is deployed in the poleconfiguration as opposed to the configuration used in apparatus 100 orthe chair configuration at which time the U-channel section 134 acts asa portion of the seat structure. In this way, U-channel section 134 actsas a fold out handle that also may act as a chair horizontal support.

In this configuration, the pivotal bracket mounts to the upper tubingsection 120 with three sheet metal screws spaced 120 degrees apart. TheU-channel 134 is attached to the pivotal bracket using a machine screwwith a wing nut attached or any similar suitable fastener.

In this embodiment, the machine screw 126 is used to ensure that thebracket pivotal holes are correctly threaded. Therefore, when the pole102 is used in a pole configuration, the U-channel 134 is positionedparallel to the upper tubing section 120 and aids in forming a grip foruse by the user and when the pole 102 is used in conjunction withapparatus 100 to support the structure of the chair apparatus 100, theU-channel 134 is positioned at a right angle to the upper section 120.In both configurations, a wing nut 128 is tightened by the user's fingerto ensure that the pole 102 is secured in the appropriate position. Oneor more additional threaded holes and through holes may be drilled inother embodiments to join the upper tubing section 120 with the seatstructural components supports 110 and supports 114. In severalembodiments, an additional threaded hole and one thru hole is drilled ortapped into the upper tubing section 120 for the interface with the seatstructure of apparatus 100.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the support components 110 and 114 are usedto support stabilize the apparatus 100 when used in the chairconfiguration. In other embodiments, the support structures may bevaried and used to support other configurations such as a tripod mount,a table or any other suitable structure that can be made using two ormore poles 102.

Support 110 is a combination vertical support and brace assembly. Inseveral of the described embodiments, supports 110 are each made fromtwo pieces or segments of ½ inch by 1/16 inch flat hardened aluminumstock. These pieces are connected together at the center via a securedpivotal pin so that the sections are allowed to pivot parallel to eachother. In one configuration, they can be stored together flat or inanother configuration they can be opened to form an X brace which can beused to stabilize apparatus 100 when deployed in a chair configuration.

In these embodiments, clearance holes for the mounting of machine screwsare drilled in each corner of the sections 116, 118 and 120 at theappropriate location using suitable dimensions so that the support 110can be joined with the threaded mating holes on the sections. Thesecross truss supports 110 interconnect the two poles 102 and the seatstructures so that the apparatus 100 can be used in the chairconfiguration. In other embodiments, the same support 110 can be usedalone or in conjunction with additional supports to stabilize otherconfigurations of apparatus 100, such as a tripod configuration withthree poles 102 or a table configuration with four or more poles 102.

In other embodiments, apparatus 100 includes one truss support 110affixed to segments of poles 102 and another support 110 is affixed tothe forward seat vertical supports. Thus, the width of the chair inapparatus 100 may be determined by the dimensions of the opened crosstruss supports 110. In other embodiments, the width of the chair and thedimension of the cross truss supports 110 can be varied by the user. Inthe present embodiments, a threaded hole is appropriately positioned ineach of the upper sections 120 so that the clearance hole of the uppercross truss support 110 is aligned sufficiently so the support 110 canbe attached with a fastener such as the machine screw and wing nutcombination. Once finger tightened by the user, the wing nut secures thecross truss support 110 to the mounts on the apparatus 100.

In many of the embodiments, a clearance thru-hole is drilled through theupper pole section for a machine screw and wing nut combination to beused to engage the rod brace on the vertical support assembly (notshown.) The vertical support and brace assemblies are made from hardenedaluminum angle, flat stock and/or aluminum rod. The aluminum angleprovides the forward seat vertical support. A total of three threadedholes are drilled and tapped into each vertical support segment orpiece. Two holes are drilled so that they face the surface of thealuminum angle that faces forward on the chair configuration. Thesethreaded holes interface with the second cross truss assembly. Thelocation of these threaded holes match the location of the opened trusssupport 110 clearance holes. The flat stock and aluminum rod form twoadditional braces on the side of the seat structure of apparatus 100.

In these embodiments, the rod and truss are affixed to the bottom end ofthe forward seat vertical support via a captured machine screw thatallows the two elements to pivot parallel to the forward seat supportfor stowage, or orthogonal to the support in the case of the rod brace,or at an approximate 45 degree angle in the case of the flat brace. Themachine screw that acts as the pivot pin goes through the lower sidesurface of the vertical seat support piece, through the flat trusssection, and is captured via a partial thread in the rod. Thus, both therod and flat section are allowed to pivot open for the chairconfiguration, or to pivot all parallel with the vertical seat supportfor stowage. In addition, on the end opposite of the rod pivot screw, athreaded hole is drilled/tapped axially into the rod. This tapped holeengages the machine screw/wing nut fastener that is positioned throughthe upper section 120 as well as the cross truss support 110 clearancehole. Thus, the pole section 120, cross truss support 110 and the lowerseat vertical support section rod are secured with this fastener when itengages the threaded axial hole.

In several embodiments, a rubber or similar material grip 136 isdisposed on the distal end of the upper section 120 so that the user caneasily grip the pole 102. The shaded section of grip 136 shown in FIG. 1shows a rubber hand grip which encompasses a portion of the upper tubestorage area. Additionally, also in several of the describedembodiments, an end cap 138 is also located at the same end of the uppersection 120 so that the components stored within the section 120 can besecured. The end cap 138 may be made of plastic, mental or any suitablematerial.

FIG. 5 shows a pole 102 in a trekking configuration used with anadditional storage pouch 130 attached to the pole 102 with fasteners132. The pouch 130 may be used to store any number of items including acanvas seat which can be used with two or more poles 102, a canvastable, a photography mount, or any other accessory which can be usedwith the poles 102 to form apparatus 100. Either pole 102 may also beused alone or in conjunction with one or more other poles to stabilize acamera or video camera in the field. In this configuration, a user couldtake a top fitting that would engage the camera and plug into the distalend of the upper segment 120 at the end cap 138 location. Thisembodiment's configuration is analogous to camera monopoles already soldon the market.

Other embodiments of the hiking poles 102 may use a pouch such as adraw-string soft cloth bag attached to the poles with a line which canbe sewn or fastened, for instance with any known commercial fastener,onto the pouch and then attached to the pole 102. Each of the poles 102may have one or more pouches or containers which could be attached inany suitable matter. In some embodiments, a pouch 130 can be used tostore the canvas covers used for the back rest and seat cover portionsof the chair configuration of apparatus 100 and/or any other smallobjects carried by the hiker.

In other embodiments, aluminum or plastic holders may be used forholding liquid containers such as a water bottle.

1. An improved trekking pole apparatus comprising: A body made up of anupper segment, a middle segment and a lower segment joined to form atrekking pole; and a pivotal handle that may also serve as a horizontalsupport. wherein said segments may be used as a trekking pole ordisassembled and used to form a support structure for a chair.
 2. Animproved trekking pole apparatus further comprising: a removable seatcover; a truss support; and a corner vertical support comprised of threecomponent supports mounted to the right angle vertical piece pivot whichfold in a parallel orientation to the axis of the right angle verticalpiece; wherein said segments are joined with said truss support, saidseat cover, and said corner vertical support and truss member to form achair.
 3. An improved trekking pole apparatus of claim 2 wherein saidchair is a tripod.
 4. An improved trekking pole apparatus of claim 2wherein said chair is a table.
 5. An improved trekking pole apparatus ofclaim 2 further comprising a removable back rest.
 6. An improvedtrekking pole apparatus of claim 1 further comprising at least onestorage area in an interior space of one or more body segments forstoring a support component.
 7. An improved trekking pole apparatus ofclaim 1 further comprising at least one storage area in an interiorspace of a body segment for storing a seat cover.
 8. An improvedtrekking pole apparatus of claim 1 wherein said pivotal handle is aU-channel section which may act as a fold out handle and as a chairhorizontal support.
 9. An improved trekking pole apparatus of claim 1further comprising a hand grip.
 10. An improved trekking pole apparatusof claim 1 wherein said poles are constructed of one or more of thefollowing group of materials: aluminum tubing, aluminum angle, “U”stock, and flat aluminum stock.
 11. An improved trekking pole apparatusof claim 1 further comprising an external pouch for storing articles.12. An improved trekking pole apparatus of claim 11 wherein said pouchis an aluminum or plastic holder for holding liquid containers such as awater bottle.
 13. An improved trekking pole apparatus of claim 1 furthercomprising an external pouch for storing articles.
 14. An improvedtrekking pole apparatus of claim 2 wherein the width of the chair andthe dimension of the cross truss supports may be varied by the user. 15.An improved trekking pole apparatus of claim 2 further comprising aforward seat vertical support.
 16. An improved trekking pole apparatusof claim 1 further comprising aluminum or plastic holders may be usedfor holding liquid containers such as a water bottle.